This is a response to Anna Baek’s post on soccer companies’ and unprotected workers https://blogs.ubc.ca/annabaek/2013/10/04/soccer-companies-and-unprotected-workers/#comment-2
It is evident through the article that in deed soccer companies have their product made in countries where the workers are mistreated. They include minors and adults who are poor. From an ethical perspective, this highly unacceptable especially in a world where every worker is entitled to fair working conditions and decent salary. However, the issue is more complex than it seems. The soccer balls are outsourced from small companies who act as contractors and in many cases are not answerable to the big companies. Major companies are constantly in a rush to get contractors who can supply them in time. Moreover, majority of the contractors are usually from the home countries .Yes, it is unfair to the poor who are exploited, but I view it as a government responsibility to ensure its people are working in safe environments.